The drama started as early as the first turn, where local hero Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing was involved in a tussle with Ferrari [NYSE:RACE] men Kimi Räikkönen and Sebastian Vettel. Pascal Wehrlein also ran his Manor into the back of Jenson Button’s McLaren on the opening lap, ending the race for both drivers.

The winner was Mercedes AMG’s Nico Rosberg who managed a clean race from his pole position start. The most exciting to watch, however, was fellow Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton who, after starting at the back of the grid due to numerous penalties handed to him for pre-race engine changes, finished third, 27.6 seconds behind the leader.

Splitting the two Mercedes men was Red Bull’s other driver Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian crossed the line 14.1 seconds behind the leader.

Hamilton’s rapid pace up the field was aided by the aforementioned first turn tussle. Verstappen was on the inside of the corner with Räikkönen directly next to him (shown below). Vettel was out far but cut in sharply, causing contact with Räikkönen who in turn came into contact with Verstappen. All three sustained damage to their cars but were able to finish the race.

2016 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix

The next major drama came on the sixth lap when Renault’s Kevin Magnussen, running eighth, lost control of his car at the top of Eau Rouge. The car spun rear-first into a barrier, though fortunately Magnussen walked away with only a small cut on his ankle. He was taken to hospital as a precaution but was later given the all-clear.

Fourth and fifth places went to Nico Hulkenberg and Sergio Perez, respectively. The Force India drivers made the most of the drama around them to finish in the top five. Sixth place went to Vettel. The German made the most of the disruption caused by Magnussen’s crash to catch up with the leaders.

In seventh was McLaren’s Fernando Alonso followed by Williams’ Valtteri Bottas in eighth. In ninth and tenth places, respectively, were Räikkönen and Williams' other driver Felipe Massa.

By finishing on the podium, Hamilton keeps his lead in the 2016 Drivers’ Championship with 232 points. However, Rosberg has reduced the gap with his tally of 223 points. Ricciardo is a distant third with 151 points. In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes leads with 455 points followed by Red Bull and Ferrari with 274 and 252 points, respectively. The next race is the Italian Grand Prix at Monza on Sunday, September 4.

Hit the next page for the full results of the 2016 Formula One Belgian Grand Prix.